Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:12
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."

The words "secret faults" made me think of having favorite sins we don't want to let go of. How we have to be willing to do so in order to know God. I am reminded of Aaron teaching the gospel to king Lamoni, and then the king humbled prayed to give away all his sins.

"O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."
(Alma 22:18)

During the time he appeared to be dead, he was sleeping in the Lord and came to have a powerful witness of Him. I am also reminded of the words of President Nelson

"What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins."
(Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest," Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3909

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 18:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

During our recent stake conference our visiting Area Seventy mentioned years before he was interviewed when they were looking for a new Stake Presidency. I forget what calling he had at the time. One question he was asked is to explain his relationship with the Lord. At the time he had a personal relationship with God in prayer, but was stumped on how to explain his relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. He told them he would have to do more thinking on that. Since then I've thought of that and have had many different conversations with myself on how I would explain my personal relationship with the Savior. As I read this verse I see listed many of the areas I too would say.

Day 3908

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 15:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 15:1-2
"LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart."

This made me think of temple recommend interviews. We do our best to make sure those that go into the tabernacle or the house of the Lord are upright, righteous and honest. Sadly, there will always be those that will lie and try to cover their sins. They are not deceiving the Lord though. I would not want to stand in their shoes on judgment day. For they will not abide the Lord's coming.

Day 3907

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:2, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:2, 6
"The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity."

I pondered on why the wicked hated the poor? The poor would have no power over them. As I was going over this and other chapters I realized to see the poor is to fear being poor. That is why in their pride they say "I shall never be in adversity." They puff themselves up that they are better, and what better way to show that than to oppress the poor for their poverty. The wicked are also liars to themselves. They do not want to think that "there but for the grace of God go I."

Day 3906

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."

This verse made me think of this.

"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
(Isaiah 54:13)

I think about how important a sense of peace and safety is. How the Lord can be, and has been, a refuge to me in the midst of the storm. A refuge where I find peace and comfort, and the inspiration needed to help my situation. It all seems so simple, but it really is.

Day 3905

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 4:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 4:8
"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

Since I was a little child I've said my prayers each night. I could not rest until I had prayed. I have always felt protected while I sleep.

Day 3904

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:10
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth."

Before reading in Psalms I read this in the Book of Mormon.

"O be wise; what can I say more?"
(Jacob 6:12)

What does it mean to be wise, and in particular spiritually?

"As a Church and a people it behooves us to be wise, and to seek to know the will of God, and then be willing to do it; for “blessed is he that heareth the word of the Lord, and keepeth it,” say the Scriptures. Watch and pray always,” says our Savior, “that ye may be accounted worthy to escape the things that are to come on the earth, and to stand before the Son of Man.” If Enoch, Abraham, Moses, and the children of Israel, and all God’s people were saved by keeping the commandments of God, we, if saved at all, shall be saved upon the same principle. As God governed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as families, and the children of Israel as a nation; so we, as a Church, must be under His guidance if we are prospered, preserved and sustained. Our only confidence can be in God; our only wisdom obtained from Him; and He alone must be our protector and safeguard, spiritually and temporally, or we fall."
(Joseph Smith, Jr. "Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p.253)

Day 3903

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:10-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:10-13
"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
He had also seven sons and three daughters."

I love the ending of the story of Job. Job prays for his friends that spoke wrong in the Lord's eyes. That is forgiveness. Then Job's brothers and sisters all gather around him and comfort him. They each give him some money and gold. Then Job is blessed in the end double the sheep, camels, oxen, and asses then before. As for children, his is blessed again with the same number. Now for the eternities Job has 14 sons and 6 daughters, for the ones that died as still his too.

Day 3902

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 38:4
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."

This made me think of our "Come, Follow Me: reading for this week. How President Joseph F. Smith saw in vision the redemption of the dead after the crucifixion of the Savior and his appearance in the spirit world. Christ organized from the righteous his forces, and appointed messengers with power and authority to preach the gospel to the dead.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (1 Peter 3:18—20.)
“For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:6.)

It also goes on to state how some reserved for our day were chosen in the beginning. This would be when God laid the foundations of the earth, while we were in the pre-existence.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith, and my father, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work,
Including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world.
I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.
Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."
(Doctrine and Covenants 138:53-56)

Day 3901

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 34:35-37

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 34:35-37
"Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God."

I can't even imagine judging, much less saying these words to a good man that had suffered so much loss. No wonder the Lord spoke these words to Joseph Smith, while held prisoner in the Liberty jail.

"Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job."
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:10)

Day 3900

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 32:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 32:9
"But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."

I pondered on how the spirit has taught me things I had no knowledge of before hand. As I reflected on several experiences I thought about many great inventions even just in my lifetime. I then thought of President Nelson and how he was instrumental in creating the first heart-lung machine, so they could perform surgery on the heart. Then he was instructed through inspiration on how to perform those surgeries.

"During the early pioneering days of surgery of the heart,” a stake patriarch from southern Utah suffered much because of a failing heart. He pleaded for help, thinking that his condition resulted from a damaged but repairable valve in his heart.
Extensive evaluation revealed that he had two faulty valves. While one could be helped surgically, the other could not. Thus, an operation was not advised. He received this news with deep disappointment.
Subsequent visits ended with the same advice. Finally, in desperation, he spoke to me with considerable emotion: “Dr. Nelson, I have prayed for help and have been directed to you. The Lord will not reveal to me how to repair that second valve, but He can reveal it to you. Your mind is so prepared. If you will operate upon me, the Lord will make it known to you what to do. Please perform the operation that I need, and pray for the help that you need.”
His great faith had a profound effect upon me. How could I turn him away again? Following a fervent prayer together, I agreed to try. In preparing for that fateful day, I prayed over and over again, but still did not know what to do for his leaking tricuspid valve. Even as the operation commenced, my assistant asked, “What are you going to do for that?”
I said, “I do not know.”
We began the operation. After relieving the obstruction of the first valve, we exposed the second valve. We found it to be intact but so badly dilated that it could no longer function as it should. While examining this valve, a message was distinctly impressed upon my mind: Reduce the circumference of the ring. I announced that message to my assistant. “The valve tissue will be sufficient if we can effectively reduce the ring toward its normal size.”
But how? We could not apply a belt as one would use to tighten the waist of oversized trousers. We could not squeeze with a strap as one would cinch a saddle on a horse. Then a picture came vividly to my mind, showing how stitches could be placed—to make a pleat here and a tuck there—to accomplish the desired objective. I still remember that mental image—complete with dotted lines where sutures should be placed. The repair was completed as diagrammed in my mind. We tested the valve and found the leak to be reduced remarkably. My assistant said, “It’s a miracle.”
I responded, “It’s an answer to prayer."
("Discovering a Surgical First, Russell M. Nelson and Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty" by Austin A. Robinson and Curtis T. Hunter, BYU Studies)

Day 3899

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 29:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 29:16
"I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out."

This reminded me of the principles of self-reliance and the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is not enough to help the poor by feeding and clothing them. What is truly needed is a help up so they can provide for themselves, and in turn help others. I love how the "Light the World Giving Machines" have donations that do just that. Chickens are not for people eat. They are to raise and sell eggs, and continue to replenish their flocks. Goats are not to eat. They are to raise and start a business to sell milk and cheese. There are seeds to grow crops to feed themselves and begin a business. Helping people to sustain themselves and their families effects generations.

Find a location near you. 

Day 3898

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 27:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 27:6
"My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live."

This made me think of the iron rod, the word of God, and holding fast to it.

"And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."
(1 Nephi 11:25)

The love of God goes both ways. God's love for his children, and our love for God. The heart is in all of this. Our heart will know if we are steadfast and true.

"And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."
(1 Nephi 15:24)

Day 3897

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 22:3,5, 21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 22:3,5, 21-23
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Eliphaz the Temanite words to Job are rather shocking. Here Job is suffering the loss of children, and his great wealth and being told how wicked he is. That God doesn't take pleasure in our being righteous. Then he is told he needs to acquaint himself with God and his laws. Pray, read the scriptures, and put away iniquity. Talk about being judged unrighteously. I loved how in the next chapters Job is humble, and doesn't point at the wrong judgment being placed on him, but builds on what is true. For we can always do more to be acquainted with God. Prayer and repentance are a daily thing.

Day 3896

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"

I love how Job bears his testimony to his friends. They had not brought words of comfort and had judged him and his children as being wicked, but Job knew the truth. He knew through it all that his redeemer Jesus Christ was there for him. He believed in the resurrection to come. How comforting that though must have been, because that means he would see his children too. There was life after death. First and foremost was his desire to see God.

Day 3895

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 4-5
"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief."

Job calls his friends miserable comforters. It made me reflect on our baptismal covenant, to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those in need of comfort.

"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—"
(Mosiah18:8-9)

Day 3894

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:4
"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one."

Wish I had this verse a few days ago. I had a discussion with someone regarding an issue they were having with an elderly relative. The elderly person was very religious but with some dementia. The family member was trying to clean out their food storage of rotted and expired food. The elderly person thought they needed it all because the end of the world was any day now. The family member not being religious didn't know how to address this. I told them don't challenge them on the second coming being any day now. Distract them in preparing their very best for it instead. The Lord's house is a house of order.

Don't challenge their feelings that they need their food storage. Agree it's import, but distract them in offering their very best. I told them about the story of Elijah and widow of Zarephath. How God can multiple what we have with faith. The widow's flour was not rotted or spoiled, the oil was not rancid, both were whole and able to nourish Elijah, the widow, and her son throughout the famine. If the Lord was to multiple what you had, would you want to multiple something expired, or something eatable? We should offer and store our very best. Get them involved in setting up the guidelines. What is an acceptable time frame after the best buy and expiration date? What type of cans are acceptable to eat. Give them more control so they don't have to feel you will get rid of everything on them. Sometimes rotating is not eating but replacing what was bad with good, so make sure to bring in new items to take their place. If they won't let you throw out the bad then make a special area for expired items until they are ready to let it go. The Lord is not going to make something unclean into clean when we had stewardship over what was stored in that place. We need to be wise and faithful stewards and put our house in order.

Day 3893

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 12:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 12:12-13
"With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding."

Today is Thanksgiving and with it comes preparing a family dinner. I noticed in the last couple days I was telling my adult children things I took for granted and didn't realize they didn't know. Like putting a frozen turkey in a tub of cold water to defrost it. They were thinking it would need to go in hot water. It's little things that we gain time and experience in. That get handed down generation after generation if we are lucky. I always loved listening to older people's conversations when I was a kid. I have an old soul and love stories of days gone by. I also appreciated their wisdom and knowledge. Now I find my generation is the older generation.

Day 3892

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 8:4, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 8:4, 6
"If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous."

A different friend of Job's, Bildad the Shunhite, now shocks me with his words. How did I not see or understand before how terrible what he said was? Again Job is being told his children that died were wicked. Then I noticed another misconception that only the righteous are able to prosper. If you think being righteous will only bring you sunshine and roses you are sadly mistaken. Everyone has an equal opportunity for trials in their lives. Like somehow having lost everything proves Job was not a righteous man. The only promise I have in life is if I lean on the Lord he will walk beside me, and carry me, and not leave me alone. He will give me that peace that passeth understanding, even in the midst of the storm. I like how Job set the record straight.

"This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked."
(Job 9:22)

Day 3891

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:14, 25

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:14, 25
"To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?"

As I am reading Job I want to learn what not to say to someone that is grieving and experiencing loss. I don't want to be like Job's friends, but sometimes at first glance I agree with them. I want to understand this. There is reason to not be like them.

"Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job."
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:10)

As I was looking at Eliphaz's words, to find what stung Job, this thought rather horrified me.

"Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed."
(Job 4:7-9)

Is Job's friend Eliphaz basically saying God killed Job's children because they were wicked? If you are innocent you never suffer trials in life? That though is pretty eye-opening. Wow, just Wow. 

Day 3890

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 1:12
"And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD."

As I was reading the conversation between the Lord and Job it made me think of the pre-existence, and council in Heaven. Satan or Lucifer knew the plan and would have been there before his rebellion. I wondered if some of these conversations happened before or after? One thing is for sure, we are all here on this earth to be tried and tested. We can do everything right and still have harm come upon us. The difference is who we turn to during the dark times of our lives. If we turn to God we will be embraced and comforted and given strength to endure. If we turn away from God we perish and do not have peace. All of us are Job. The challenge is being able to say "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

The other thing I pondered on was Satan does have power. The footnote to the word power says "Probation, Probationary". The fact that we are mortals upon this earth in a probationary state means we are allowed to be tried and tested. Satan has power on this earth only as the Lord permits and that we give to him by yielding to his temptations. The question is "Do we allow trials to draw us closer to God or further away?"

"And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;"
(Abraham 3:25)

Day 3889

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 9:20-22, 26

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 9:20-22, 26
"And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,"

I wondered if the Jews today honor Purim as a Jewish Holiday? I was happy to see they still do. They exchange gifts of food and drink, make donations of charity to the poor. They eat a celebratory meal with alcoholic beverages known as mishteh. There is a public reading of the scrolls of Esther. There are additions to the daily prayers. Some also apply henna. Some other customs are to wear masks and costumes with public celebrations and parades. It sounds like a very happy and joyous time.

I wondered when Purim was this year. I found it fell at sunset 13th March and ended nightfall the 14th of March. In 2026 it will fall between sunset 2nd March to nightfall 3rd March.

Day 3888

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 6:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 6:1
"On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king."

I love how the Lord will bring to people's remembrance situations or understanding at exactly the right time. The king finds that nothing had been done to reward Mordecai for saving his life. Then the king speaks to Haman (who had come with the desire to kill Mordecai) and asks what should be done to the man he delighteth to honor. Haman was arrogant enough to think the king spoke to honor him, and had no idea he was speaking of Mordecia. What Haman says should be done is exactly what the king has Haman do for Mordecai. All of this is setting the stage for Esther to soon reveal herself a Jew and to save them. I think about how perfect the timing of the Lord is.

Day 3887

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 3:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 3:5-6
"And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai."

Haman was not just wicked because of his pride, he was evil. To be wicked you are morally wrong in a principle. To be evil you have a plan or passion to hurt someone. In this case because Mordecai would not bow down to him he plotted to kill all Jews. With Haman I see the warning to be aware of pride, that can grow into revenge and pure evil.

Day 3886

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 10:31

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 10:31
"And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt."

This reminded me of when I was a kid and the stores would close on Sunday. I actually think there were laws against them being open. Slowly over the years that began to change. I'm not really sure what stores are closed now. I actually don't go shopping on Sunday to find out. Which actually is the point. If people kept the Sabbath day holy and didn't shop, there would be no desire for store to be open in the first place.

“I was in another stake, also in a reorganization program, and another brother was considered for one of the highest positions; and when we asked him of his occupation, he said he was a grocer by trade. ‘Well, most of the stores keep open on the Sabbath. Do you?’ ‘We lock our store on Sunday,’ he said. ‘But how can you compete with these people who are open seven days a week?’ ‘We compete. At least we get along very well,’ was his reply. ‘But would not the Sabbath be your biggest day?’ ‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘we would probably sell twice as much on the Sabbath as we would on an average day, but we get along without it, and the Lord has been kind; he has been gracious; he has been good.’ … And I could not refrain from saying, ‘God bless you, my faithful brother. The Lord will not be unmindful of these seeming sacrifices. Your dollars are clean. They will surely not hinder you in finding your way into the kingdom of God.
We note that in our Christian world in many places we still have business establishments open for business on the sacred Sabbath. We are sure the cure of this lies in ourselves, the buying public. Certainly the stores and business houses would not remain open if we, the people, failed to purchase from them.”
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Chapter 16: The Sabbath-A Delight)

Day 3885

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 8:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 8:8-10
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."

"gave the sense" = gave a commentary by the power of the Holy Ghost

As the scriptures were read to the people it was given distinctly and with commentary. It was so the people could truly be taught and understand. The scriptures were opened up to the them by the Holy Ghost.

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.
But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble."
(Jacob 4:13-14)

What the Lord had given was hard to understand. It is through the spirit that understanding comes. It's also important that those reading the scriptures and opening them up were men of God.

Day 3884

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 4:16-17

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 4:16-17
"And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon."

This story of the Jews working to rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem and temple while holding a weapon to guard it and themselves, reminds me of what happened while the saints were building the Nauvoo temple.

"It is very encouraging to think that, in the midst of the assaults which are being made upon the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the threats that are in circulation concerning us and our future fate, there is faith enough found in the midst of the people to pursue, without discouragement and without cessation, the great work which we feel that our Father has laid upon us. We have not been situated as we were in Nauvoo, when we finished our temple there, for then the workmen who labored upon it, were like the Jews in the days of Nehemiah, when they undertook to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and had to labor a portion of the time at least, and a great portion of it too, with their instruments of labor in one hand, and weapons to defend themselves in the other. We were surrounded by mobs, and living in a constant state, it may be said of fear, because of the threats which were made and the combinations which were formed, and the attacks upon our outlying settlements in the burning of houses, in the destruction of grain, in the shooting down of cattle, and in the driving out of the people from their homes.
(George Q. Cannon, "The Logan Temple, Etc.", JD 25:166)

Day 3883

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 1:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Nehemiah 1:5
"And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:"

This reminded me of this scripture.

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
(Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21)

Consequences whether good or bad are predicated on the law we obey or chose not to. It is so much easier to obey God's law then to turn on backs on Him and do it on our own. One of the easiest laws to see the cause and effect is with tithing.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
(Malachi 3:10)

Day 3882

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 9:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 9:1-3
"Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied."

Marrying outside of the faith was against God's law for the children of Israel. This was partly to preserve their faith and not to be lost to false gods other nations worshipped. Ezra is overwhelmed how prevalent this had become and and grieves. It was even among their princes and rulers. Ezra weeps and so do the people.

"Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore."
(Ezra 10:1)

They then covenant with God to put away their wives and children born of them. I can see why they would be so broken hearted. Seems in some ways so extreme to break up families. Yet, this was the consequences of their actions. As a people coming back from exile they wanted to be right with the Lord. Now they had to do what it took to repent and make restitution. As I was pondering over this situation in many ways it is exactly what we would face in the next life if we married outside of our faith, and not entered into an eternal covenant of marriage. Husband and wives and children would not have a sealing link to each other. There would also be much heartache over the choices made in this life.

Day 3881

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 6:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 6:16
"And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,"

I pondered on temple dedications today and they are joyful occasions. The building of temples lessen the power of Satah by increasing God's power on the earth and in individuals' lives.

“Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”
(George Q. Cannon, in “The Logan Temple,” Millennial Star, Nov. 12, 1877, 743.)

Day 3880

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 2:59, 62-63

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 2:59, 62-63
"And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim."

This was interesting. It wasn't a matter of the genealogies being kept or not. The issue was intermarriages with aliens, those without the faith. Those marriages were not recorded. This is how they lost their father's house. They were polluted and put from the priesthood. They needed to stand before a priest who with the Urim and Thummim would be able to determine what house they were from. When I think about how many generations removed from Abraham's family and the tribes of Israel we are, we have the same thing happening today. We go before a patriarch that will declare in our patriarchal blessing which tribe of Israel we belong to.

Day 3879

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 34:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 34:1-3
"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images."

I enjoyed reading about Josiah and what a righteous and good king he was. I was surprised at his youth. He was only 8 years old when he came to reign. Amazing considering Amon was his father, and he didn't learn to be righteous from him. When he's 16 years old he seeks after God and by 20 he's removing idolatry from among them. He's learning and cleansing Judah and Jerusalem. By 26 he's repairing the house of the Lord. When Hilkiah the priest finds the law of the Lord given to Moses and it is read to Josiah the king mourns that they have not worshipped as they should. Josiah has the book read to the people. Then he covenants to walk after the Lord, and the words written in the book. Not only was Josiah righteous he cared that his people were taught of the Lord and the served God. It made me think of the youth and what promise.

"And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book." (2 Chronicles 34:31)

Day 3878

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
"Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah."

The words of Hezekiah "more with us than with him" reminded me of Elisha the prophet.

"And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
(2 Kings 6:15-17)

I made me reflect on other times similar words have been spoke, acknowledging that God does not leave his people alone.

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
(Doctrine and Covenants 84:88)

"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
(Mark 10:27)

"And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."
(1 Chronicles 28:20)

Day 3877

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 13, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 13, 15
"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD."

What a relief to read about King Hezekiah. He tried everything to bring the children of Israel back to the Lord. The greatest being the cleansing of the temple and gathering the people to worship and make sacrifices and offerings. As I was reading this what stuck out to me was not having enough priests that were sanctified to flay the burnt offerings. That the Levites had to help them.

"But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests."
(2 Chronicles 29:34)

Then as all the people are assembled for the passover the priests and Levites were ashamed and had to sanctify themselves. It made me ponder on the Lord's second coming. Just like Hezekiah's letter, none of us know when the call will come to gather. How would I feel if there were things left that I still needed to repent of?

Day 3876

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:16-19

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:16-19
"But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar."

Uzziah name spread far and wide because cunning men invented an engine to shoot arrows and great stones from their towers. His heart was lifted up, which I believe means he was full of pride. Pride leads to destruction and Uzziah met his. He went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar, which he had no authority to do so. He may have been king but he could not assume the authority of a priest. They told him to leave and that made him angry. The Lord would have none of that and struck Uzziah with leprosy.

Sometimes it makes me wonder why the Lord can't just solve matters so quickly now? I do understand we live a higher law, and am grateful it isn't an eye for an eye anymore. You would think with these punishments it would make people straighten up. But, as I read the scriptures even with all the quick punishments the children of Israel witness they don't seem to learn from it.

Day 3875

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 24:20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 24:20
"And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you."

This made me reflect on how belief in God is at an all time low world-wide. People have been leaving their churches as they become disillusioned with them. The world does not always see the connection between the loss of faith and the lack of prosperity that follows. They point to wicked leaders and governments as the fault. But, in reality that is only the result of where men's hearts have taken them, and the choices they have made.

On the flip side I thought about the exponential growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thought about living prophets and the guidance and counsel given us. Today the Stake Presidency asked that a few excerpts from the church emergency preparedness website be read in both Sacrament and Relief Society. It took me a while when I got home to find what was read off the website.

"Members of the Church have been counseled for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. (See Doctrine and Covenants 38:30)
”With the guidance of Church leaders, individuals and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal and widespread tragedy.
As members of the Church, we know that it is our responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families both in good times and in bad. Part of fulfilling that obligation is making preparations now to face whatever challenges may come our way.
Church members are encouraged to make an emergency plan and update it regularly.
Elder L. Tom Perry instructed, “Start now to create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan. … The instability in the world today makes it imperative that we take heed of the counsel and prepare for the future."
(Gospel Topics, "Emergency Preparedness", ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

We were asked to review the "Emergency Preparedness Guide" and use it to create or update our personal or family plan. I know that as I follow counsel like this from my church leaders I do not fear what is ahead. Spiritual and temporal preparedness is an individual and family matter. I know after all I can do the Lord will not forsake me.

Day 3874

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:6-7, 19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:6-7, 19-20
"And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings."

When Jehoram was made king he slew all his brethren with the sword. That is just so evil. The only reason God didn't destroy Jehoram was the covenant He made with David. It appears Jehoram was the last of that line. God made promises and would honor them, but the man that didn't honor God wouldn't escape punishment. Jehoram suffered an incurable disease that sounded very painful. Then when he dies there is no honor given him by the people, other than to be buried in the city of David.

I pondered how we don't always know why the wicked are allowed to remain as they are and not be destroyed. There is always the possibility they will repent, but there can also be greater purposes the Lord has for them, or for the people that support them.

Day 3873

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 18:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 18:7
" And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so."

It's interesting how someone can hate a prophet, and yet not change. Then hate them because they didn't speak good things to them, only bad. If the person would follow the prophet and not speak ill against them they would see blessings come into their lives.

Day 3872